Castles on the Dunajec River

In the Middle Ages, the Dunajec River was part of a trade route. To guard it from attack from Hungary, a number of knightly castles were built, most of which, unfortunately, have not survived to the present day.

Below is a list of towns and castles located in them with additional information. In parentheses the approximate distance from the Szczawnica Park Resort & Spa Hotel ****:

• Krościenko nad Dunajcem (7km) - Pieniny Castle - ruins. Poland's highest situated stronghold. The blue trail leads to it.
• Czorsztyn (16km) - Czorsztyn castle - ruins. Can be visited all year round (with exceptions). More information can be found here.
• Niedzica (20km) - Niedzica Castle - restored. Open to visitors all year round (with exceptions). More information can be found here.
• Zabrzeż (20km) - the castle in Zabrzeż - does not exist.
• Nowy Sacz (52km) - Royal Castle in Nowy Sacz - ruins. On the grounds of the castle ruins there is a city park today, and only a part of the walls together with the reconstructed Blacksmith's Tower survived till today.
• Kurów (57km) - the castle on Kurowska Gora - does not exist.
• Wytrzyszczka (66km) - Tropsztyn Castle - restored. Open to visitors in July and August. For more information, click here.
• Gródek nad Dunajcem (70km) - the castle in Gródek nad Dunajcem - does not exist.
• Rożnów (72km) - castle in Rożnów - ruins. Also known as the castle of the Black Knight. Closed to visitors until 2020 due to archaeological and restoration work.
• Czchow (75km) - Czchow Castle - ruins. Only the Tower has been preserved to our times. It can be visited from May to October (with exceptions).
• Melsztyn (95km) - Melsztyn castle - ruins. Open to visitors all year round, free of charge.
• Wielka Wieś (100km) - Trzewlin Castle - ruins. Open to visitors all year round, free of charge. The castle ruins are reached by a blue tourist trail starting from the market square in Wojnicz.